We are delighted to announce that we are now supporting local swimmer, Sascha Kindred OBE, as he attempts to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Following the appointment of BMW Group as the Official Automotive Partner of the 2012 Games, BMW is now actively supporting British athletes, such as Ellie Simmonds and Louis Smith, via the BMW London 2012 Performance Team. Meanwhile, in line with the Performance Team initiative, BMW dealers like us will be working with local athletes, supporting their endeavours to qualify for Team GB or ParalympicsGB.

Sascha trains locally at the Leominster Leisure Centre. He has been swimming since the age of 11 and at just 13 won his first international competition. Sascha has achieved two gold medals for Great Britain in each of the last three Paralympic Games. He has received many accolades for his sporting achievements and was honoured with an OBE in the 2009 New Year's Honours List for his services to Disability Sport. In addition, Sascha has twice been named Senior Sportsman of the Year in Hereford and Worcester, has received an award for Outstanding Achievement from British Swimming, and has been appointed an Ambassador for the region of Herefordshire, as well as the Youth Sports Trust.

“I’d like to say a really big thank you to Cotswold Hereford and BMW,” said Sascha. “It’s great that they’re putting so much faith in me. The training regime for a London 2012 hopeful is relentless so it really helps to have people behind you. I have always loved BMW and can’t believe I’ll be driving one from now until the end of the 2012 Games.”

Andrew Hulcoop, Managing Director at Cotswold Group, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get really involved with the 2012 Games. Our staff and customers are keen to support London 2012 so we’re really happy to be backing Sascha - especially since he is a local athlete that has achieved so very much. He is an inspiration to all that meet him and is working extremely hard to represent his country at London 2012."